ECOWAS Monitoring Team Inspects NANTS Milk Factory, Hails Initiative as a Model for Dairy Development - The National Association of Nigerian Traders NANTS

A Monitoring and Evaluation Team from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has conducted an official inspection of the NANTS Milk Factory, assessing its operations, production capacity, and contribution to local dairy development. The delegation, led by Saater Kumaga from the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, ECOWAS, visited the facility as part of a broader initiative to evaluate and promote regional agricultural projects that enhance food security and economic growth.

NANTS Showcases Progress in Dairy Processing

During the inspection, Dr. Ken Ukaoha, President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), provided a comprehensive presentation on the current status and achievements of the milk factory. He emphasized the factory’s role in enhancing local dairy production, reducing reliance on imported milk products, and creating economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and dairy producers.

Dr. Ukaoha highlighted that the NANTS Milk Factory serves as a model for private-sector investment in agribusiness, offering a replicable framework for sustainable dairy development in Nigeria and across the West African region. He stressed that the facility’s operations demonstrate the viability of local milk processing, which could significantly contribute to economic diversification, job creation, and rural development.

The facility is structured to process fresh milk sourced from local dairy farmers, ensuring value addition and a steady market for livestock producers. By leveraging modern technology and quality control measures, the factory is positioned to meet both domestic and regional demand for dairy products while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

ECOWAS Team Applauds NANTS’ Efforts

Following the tour of the facility, the ECOWAS delegation expressed surprise and admiration at the level of progress made by NANTS in advancing the milk project. The monitoring team acknowledged the commitment, innovation, and strategic planning that have gone into developing the factory, describing it as a significant step towards achieving dairy self-sufficiency in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Saater Kumaga commended NANTS for its leadership in local dairy development, stating that the initiative aligns with ECOWAS’ broader agricultural and rural development agenda. He emphasized that such private-sector-driven projects are crucial for transforming the agricultural landscape in West Africa, particularly in addressing food security challenges and reducing dependency on imported dairy products.

NANTS Milk Factory as a Template for Regional Development

The visit underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening the agricultural sector, with the ECOWAS team recognizing the NANTS Milk Factory as a potential model for other private-sector players to adopt. By bridging the gap between livestock farmers and the dairy industry, the project serves as a catalyst for sustainable agricultural development and an example of how regional integration can drive economic growth.

As part of the next steps, ECOWAS is expected to further engage with NANTS on potential areas of collaboration, including policy support, investment facilitation, and knowledge sharing to expand the impact of the milk project.

The successful inspection of the NANTS Milk Factory reaffirms the critical role of private-sector investment in boosting local production, creating jobs, and driving economic resilience in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.